The Campaign For DA

6.24.2015

I saw a couple of stories about how the once-structurally impaired multi-million dollar stadium in Allen was repaired in time for graduation, but I don't think I saw any stories about the actual graduation. You would think that would be worth some news filler. (Fun fact: The graduating class size was 1,403).

Do we make too much of high school graduation in general? I mean, it's hard not to graduate so long as you show up.

When the South Carolina governor announced her desire to remove the Confederate flag from the capitol grounds, she added, ""For those who wish to show their respect for the flag on their private property, no one will stand in your way." At this point I was prepared to write, "No kidding. No government entity has the right to prevent that" and then I began to wonder if there are any cases where city ordinances governing signage could legally impede on that right. (I'm not talking about private entities like home owner's associations, I'm talking about government.)

And that caused me to remember the stunning case where the Supreme Court said it is OK for government to bar a Texas lawyer's billboard on his own property which said, "Just Say No To Searches." Since the law banning it was "content neutral" and the law was based upon highway beautification, it was OK.

A man with a knife was shot and killed by police at David's Western Wear. In Weatherford. (I think the deceased's Facebook page is here. Last August he wrote: "Going to see the shrink tamarow been off meds amonth.")

I had a buddy go to The Masters in Augusta, Georgia in the 1990s. In describing the area and the multiple confederate flags on display in the South, he later told me, "Man, they won't give that war up."

BagOfNothing had a note of Billy Graham's grandson resigning as pastor of a megachurch after it was revealed he had an affair. I don't know what got my attention more: (1) The fact the grandson pretty much blamed his affair on his wife having an affair first, or (2) that his name was Tullian Tchividjian.

Moody's has rated the bonds about to be issued by Decatur ISD and refers to the district as having an "above average socioeconomic profile".

I have relatives in Georgia and Mississippi. I am white and so are they. Yes, there is still a fringe element that believes that blacks are lesser and should be segregated. However, to a vast majority of the younger folks in the deep South, the flag represents Southern pride and culture. And by Southern pride and culture, I mean self sufficiency, being able to grow your own food, fix a transmission, kill your own meat, etc...Many of the young white kids in the deep South can't even grasp the thought of blacks not being their equal peers, because it is all they have ever known.So please, stop painting with such a broad brush. It is harmful when both the left and right do it, and you are getting worse and worse about it on a lot of issues.Having said that, I do enjoy your blog and the thought provoking that it does.

917 - Those who want to remove all symbols of the old Confederacy reject the idea that it's about one's heritage. To them, the flag = "pro slavery" = "racist." They want a cultural cleansing of all the things you mentioned. That group of people, who hold the political power for the moment, will rename buildings, streets, towns, and counties, remove statues and portraits, and rewrite history books until their agenda has been satisfied, and the Southern heritage you mention has been erased forever. Then they will target the next group that displeases them.

In Denton, an individual can fly the US flag. But, if you want to fly more than one at the same time, you need a permit from the city and the permit is only good for 90 days.

I know this because a local landscape business is town was cited for violating the city ordinance for flying too many US flags at the same time without a permit at his place of business. The business has at least 12 US flags flying at the same time on his property, plus multiple flags on many of his business vehicles.

When I see a confederate flag, I do not think anything racial. All I think of are redneck bubbas. And since it is now apparent that everyone is wanting to ban that flag, will it now be "We are going to Five Flags over Texas to ride the rides?" The confederate flag is one of the six flags over Texas.

9:17 reminded me of something an old college history commented on years ago regarding the regional pride that some claimed the Confederate Battle Flag represented. He said three items should always be brought into the conversation when someone says it's only about pride.1. It represented a treasonous group of individuals who tried to fracture the Union by armed secession.2. An early version of it was flown by troops of that secessionist movement as they shelled their fellow Americans at Ft. Sumter, without a shot being fired at them in anger up to that point. 3. It represented southern states fighting for the right to maintain or expand slavery without federal interference or regulation.Made a lot of sense then and now. Hard to feel pride in that banner.

@9:46I didn't say it was only about Southern pride. I readily admitted there were still hard core racists. However, there are just as many racists in New England.But let's take it a step further. All of those things you mention...fair enough 200 years ago.It is kind of like the word nigger. It all depends on context.My nigger, my homeboy...the black community is fine with this.That dirty nigger...not so much.See? It is about the context.

In 1848, the young United States won a war against Mexico. I don't see anyone clamoring to eradicate the Mexican flag from display in the United States. As a matter of fact, in California, display or wearing of U.S. flag insignia has been deemed insensitive to the majority Hispanic population.

The Confederate Flag should be removed from America because it represents the Democrat Party who solely are the KKK. Kuddos to the left for finally accepting this responsibility and requesting its removal.

If the democratic liberal weenies are so offended by a symbol, when will they call for the removal of the names of all the buildings, bridges, schools and highways named for Robert Byrd, the most famous KKK member ever elected to high office in the democratic party? You're welcome.

It seems to be difficult to hold on to any historical symbol without some moron being offended. That really isn't so bad...it is the ignorance of the population overreacting. I wonder if anyone really knows what the true adopted flag of the Confederacy really looks like?

I love Wordy's "give a negro an inch, he'll take a mile" argument! I am a child of the south and have never needed the rebel flag to get in tune with my heritage or celebrate the many wonderful things the south has to offer. Calling the war what it was is not a revision of history nor does it destroy who we are as southerners. People that grasp the hardest at symbols usually do so for the wrong reasons.

There will be another flag argument coming next. For those of you that think that this confederate flag coming down will end the flag conversation, think again. The next debate will be over the oppressive American Flag! But don't worry, there has already been a new flag selected. It is the flag of Marcus Garvey. The Flag of the UNIA. This flag has 3 colors as well. Red, Black, and Green. I'm not going to do all of your research for you but you should look up Marcus Garvey on Wiki.

10:46 Excellent point. The more the left drives wedges in its eradication of all with which it does not agree, it increases resentment from the innocents left in its wake, and energizes those misguided and marginalized souls.

Far better for there to be a productive discussion and dialogue as to whether something belongs in decent society, than to have ninnies petitioning the nanny state to ban that which they deem 'offensive'.

"When I see a confederate flag, I do not think anything racial. All I think of are redneck bubbas. And since it is now apparent that everyone is wanting to ban that flag, will it now be "We are going to Five Flags over Texas to ride the rides?" The confederate flag is one of the six flags over Texas."

Learn the difference between the Flag of the Confederacy and the battle flag, please. Thanks.

The six flags that few over Texas are as follows;1. Spain (1519 to 1821);2. France (1684 to 1690 for Fort Saint Louis and 1800 to 1803 for French Louisiana);3. Mexico (1821 to 1836); 4. Republic of Texas (1836 to 1845 as the Republic of Texas; 1845-present as the State of Texas); 5.United States of America (1845 to 1861 and 1865 to present); 6. Confederate States of America (1861 to 1865) There were 3 CSA national flags, one of which is the so called rebel flag.

135 - That's what it means to you. Is it your contention that everyone who wants to display that flag on a t-shirt, a bedroom wall, a belt buckle, or an orange '69 Dodge Charger is in favor of slavery?

So I was driving by Jiffy Lube near Davids in Weatherford as one does when I saw 2 JL employees walking back toward JL. They were physically making a sign of washing their hands of something and shaking their heads.It was then I noticed a 3rd JL employee talking to a big fat white guy in a white shirt who was sitting on the ground. Suddenly fat crazy guy dropped to the ground and started crappie flopping.

The third guy continued to try and help. He was motioning for crazy guy to get up.I went to the store and got a drink as one does then headed to Fort Worth. On the way I was passed by an ambulance which was tailed by a Weatherford PD burban.They were running code but BARELY-- not a good sign for crazy guy.

900 - Ah, I see that you put a lot of thought into your response. Much easier to fall back on Godwin's Law than actually to think about things, right? That's been done by people like you for what, 25+ years?

"When the South Carolina governor announced her desire to remove the Confederate flag from the capitol grounds, she added, 'For those who wish to show their respect for the flag on their private property, no one will stand in your way.' At this point I was prepared to write, 'No kidding. No government entity has the right to prevent that' and then I began to wonder if there are any cases where city ordinances governing signage could legally impede on that right. (I'm not talking about private entities like home owner's associations, I'm talking about government.)"